Getting to Know You Cards

Description: A deck of 12 prompt cards to use as a quick icebreaker in individual counseling. Students draw a card and share their answer aloud. The counselor models first to build comfort.

Instructions for Counselor:

1. Shuffle the deck and place cards face down.
2. Model by drawing the first card yourself and answering the prompt.
3. Invite the student to draw a card and respond.
4. Continue for 3–4 cards to establish rapport.

Cards:

1. What’s your favorite hobby, and why?
   
   
   
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
   
   
   
3. What’s one of your favorite movies or books?
   
   
   
4. What dish or food do you enjoy the most?
   
   
   
5. Do you have a favorite animal? Tell me about it.
   
   
   
6. What’s your ideal way to spend a weekend?
   
   
   
7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
   
   
   
8. Is there a fictional character you wish you could meet? Who and why?
   
   
   
9. Share one thing that always makes you smile.
   
   
   
10. Which do you prefer: the beach or the mountains? Why?
    
    
    
11. Tell me a fun fact about yourself.
    
    
    
12. What’s your favorite subject in school, and what do you like about it?
    
    
    

Counseling Expectations and Process Worksheet

1. What Is Counseling?

Counseling is a safe, private space where you can talk about your thoughts, feelings, and goals. Your counselor is here to listen, support you, and help you develop skills and strategies to reach your goals.

In your own words, what do you think counseling is?

2. Confidentiality & Its Limits

Your counselor will keep what you share private, with these important exceptions:

• If you or someone else is in danger of being harmed.
• If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or dependent adult.
• If a court orders the release of records.

Do you have any questions about confidentiality or its limits?

3. Roles in Counseling

Counselor’s Role:

• Listen without judgment.
• Guide discussions and teach new skills.
• Help you set and work toward goals.

Your Role:

• Speak honestly and openly.
• Practice new strategies between sessions.
• Let me know if something doesn’t feel right.

In your own words, what is your role in counseling?

4. My First Counseling Goal

Together, we’ll decide on a goal to work toward. Below, write your first goal for counseling and one small step you can take to get started.

My First Goal:

First Step I Can Take:

5. Questions or Concerns

Use this space to write any questions, concerns, or thoughts you’d like to share now or in future sessions.

Two Truths & A Wish

Description: A quick icebreaker game where you share two true facts about yourself and one wish related to your time in counseling. This helps me learn about you and what you hope to achieve through these sessions.

Instructions for Counselor:

1. Explain the rules: you will each take turns sharing two truths (facts about yourself) and one wish (something you’d like from counseling).
2. Model first by sharing your own two truths and a counseling–related wish.
3. Invite the student to share their two truths and one wish.
4. After the student shares, briefly reflect on their wish and note how it can guide future goals.

Student Share

Truth 1:

Truth 2:

My Wish for Counseling:

Reflection Questions

1. What does this wish mean to you?

1. How might we work together to make this wish come true?

1. Are there any small steps you feel ready to take today toward that wish?